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Signs Your Child Is Being Bullied at School

By Marie Adly · 24 October 2026

Most children do not come home and say "I am being bullied." They come home quieter. They have a stomach ache every Sunday night. A jumper goes missing, then a lunchbox, then a friend's name stops coming up. If you are reading this because something feels off, trust that feeling enough to look closer. You do not need proof before you ask a gentle question.

This guide covers the common signs, how to start the conversation, what to write down, and how to raise it with the school. It is general information, not legal or medical advice.

Last updated: 24 October 2026

Common signs of bullying

Official guidance such as StopBullying.gov (US) describes warning signs like these. No single sign proves bullying, but a cluster of changes is worth acting on.

Physical and practical signs

Emotional signs

School and social signs

Online signs (cyberbullying)

Younger children may show it through behaviour: clinging at drop off, toilet accidents, or acting out at home. Teens often hide it to protect their status, so withdrawal and irritability can be the main clue.

How to ask without shutting them down

Children often stay silent because they fear the adult will make it worse, or because they feel ashamed. A few things help:

Write it down from day one

When you go to the school, specifics matter far more than feelings. Start a simple log:

Keep it somewhere you will not lose it. A notes app or a single email thread to yourself works.

Raising it with the school

Schools in all of these markets are expected to have a policy on behaviour or bullying. Ask for it and read it before your meeting.

  1. Start with the class teacher or form tutor. StopBullying.gov suggests this order: teacher, school counsellor, principal, then the district or state education department.
  2. Ask for a meeting rather than a quick chat at the gate. Bring your log.
  3. Ask what the school will do, who will do it, and when you will hear back.
  4. Ask how your child will be kept safe in the meantime, for example at break, lunch or on the bus.
  5. Follow up in writing the same day, summarising what was agreed.
  6. If nothing changes, go to the next level and say what you have already tried.

In England, GOV.UK states that schools must have a behaviour policy that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. In the UAE, schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum are covered by Ministerial Resolution No. 645 of 2020 on bullying prevention, which sets out anti bullying committees, reporting routes and support for victims. Private schools on other curricula are regulated by their emirate's education authority (for example KHDA in Dubai or ADEK in Abu Dhabi), so ask your school which policy applies. For the UAE routes step by step, see our guide to raising bullying with a UAE school.

When to get outside help

If your child is in danger, has been hurt, or talks about harming themselves, contact emergency services first.

Verified helplines (checked on the official sites, 24 Oct 2026):

Looking after your child at home

While the school acts, home can be the safe place. Keep routines steady, make time for things they are good at, and help them stay connected to at least one friend outside school. Watch their mood and sleep. If anxiety or low mood continues, speak to your GP, paediatrician or the school counsellor.

If a nanny or helper does pickups, tell them what is happening in simple terms so they notice changes too.

Keep the follow ups from slipping

Some parents keep the school's replies and follow up dates in one family plan. Hey Raha reads your school emails, read-only, and turns them into dates and reminders so a follow up does not slip.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs of bullying in a young child?
Often reluctance to go to school, clinging at drop off, tummy aches on school mornings, and losing things. Look for a pattern over a few weeks.

Should I contact the other child's parents?
Most official guidance suggests going through the school first. Direct contact can escalate things and make it harder for the school to act.

What if the school says it is just friendship trouble?
Share your written log, ask how they define bullying under their policy, and ask what they will monitor. Repeated, deliberate, hurtful behaviour with a power imbalance is how most official definitions describe bullying.

How do I know if it is cyberbullying?
Repeated hurtful messages, posts, exclusion from group chats, or fake accounts targeting your child. Screenshot first, then report to the platform.

Who can I call in the UAE?
Start with the school. The MOE Child Protection Unit hotline is 80085, and the Ministry of Interior Child Protection Centre is 116111. In an emergency, call 999.

Sources

Related: Bullying at school in the UAE: how to raise it and who to call · Nanny school handover checklist · Managing school emails and class WhatsApp groups

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